Brown, John | A remarkable letter leading up to the events of the Bleeding Kansas crisis

Brown, John
Autograph letter signed ("John Brown") to T.W. Carter, regarding the situation in Kansas

1 page (274 x 203 mm), Osawatomie, Kansas Territory, February 20th 1856, docketed on verso; splits to folds, backed with papers, a few stray spots and remnants of adhesive.

"Bow in submission to the vilest tyrany or be guilty of what will be called Treason; will I believe be the next, & only alternative for the Free State men of Kansas."

At the time Brown was penning the present letter, free-state settlers in Kansas were anticipating acts of violence to be perpetrated by members of Missouri's pro-slavery movement. Brown, along with other free-state settlers, were also concerned about the presence of the U.S. military in the territory, who were under orders to force intruders from Indian lands. Brown and others regarded this presence as suspicious, and grew concerned that they may have to fight against these soldiers. In a letter to Congressman Joshua Giddings, also dated the 20th of February, Brown asked him to intervene in this matter on behalf of the free-state settlers. At the same time, however, Brown was writing to T.W. Carter, an agent of the Massachusetts Arms Company, confirming the receipt of weapons, and intimating his interest in procuring more. "I think I shall immediately make a further; & more earnest appeal to the lovers of Freedom in New England for the means of procuring Arms; & Ammunition for the maintenance of that cause in Kansas; as I think the Crisis has not yet come. I firmly believe that the Administration intends to drive the people here to an abject submission, or to fight the Government troops."

From this letter, it is clear that Brown was preparing for an offensive staged by the pro-slavery militants, and that he was concerned that President Pierce would use federal troops to thwart the efforts of the free-state settlers. "O God must this thing be? Must the people here Shoot down the poor Soldiers with whom they have no quarrel?" This letter clearly demonstrates Brown's sense of conflict surrounding the use of violence against these soldiers in particular, and also his commitment to oppose slavery at any cost.

REFERENCE
DeCaro, John Brown: Cost of Freedom 138-139; Reynolds, John Brown: Abolitionist 148-150

Condition Report:
Condition as described in catalogue entry.